Railway travel has long been synonymous with elegant, leisurely journeying, and The Blue Jasmine is the latest addition to the world’s most luxurious locomotive journeys.
A splendid addition to the growing number of options in the slow travel scene, The Blue Jasmine takes travellers on a scenic and immersive nine-day journey.
Setting off from the heart of Bangkok, the trip takes passengers northward through some of the country’s most awe-inspiring landscapes and historic locations all the way to Chiang Mai, then meandering back to the capital.
Interspersed with nights spent at excellent boutique hotels, exquisite onboard experiences, and immersive excursions, riding The Blue Jasmine is a journey for anyone who seeks meaningful adventures enjoyed entirely at their own unique pace.
Travel Daily Media chief executive Gary Marshall was fortunate to be among the first to come aboard for the ride and, throughout this week, he shares the adventure onsite.
First, what you need to know about The Blue Jasmine
Offered by DTH Travel, this luxe nine-day journey offers a smaller, slower experience focused on atmosphere, cultural depth, and human connection.
Open to only a maximum of 37 guests at any given time, every journey is undertaken at a gentler, unrushed pace, enabling each individual to experience it in their own way.
Shaped by history and tradition rather than speed, the trip brings travellers to settings specifically chosen for their character, offering uniquely curated lessons in Thai culture and heritage that go beyond the usual tour.
Likewise, while billed as a luxury experience, there is nothing outré or ostentatious about The Blue Jasmine: everything is done in the best of taste, melding together the best in Thai hospitality and contemporary comfort.
This genteel elegance is exemplified by the carriages on the train: originally crafted in Japan in the 1960s, each one has been expertly restored.
The interiors, brought to life through a collaboration with Jim Thompson, are characterised by the use of exquisite textiles and curated elements, bringing warmth, color, and a distinct sense of Thai identity to every space.
At the beginning
According to Gary: “Our journey officially kicked off with a DTH team meet and greet and a passenger briefing at the iconic Jim Thompson. It was the beginning of something truly special: an epic nine-day train odyssey, weaving from the heart of Bangkok deep into the landscapes of Northern Thailand.”
Indeed, the beginning of the journey was already punctuated by gracious hospitality infused with Thai tradition and sensibilities through an overnight stay at the Montien Surawong Bangkok in Silom.
A city landmark since 1967, the property recently underwent a stunning transformation that honors its mid-century modern soul while introducing au courant luxury, offering an exquisite old meets new aesthetic in the heart of Bangkok’s primary business district and but a stone’s throw to waterway access on the Chao Phraya River.
The following day, guests made their way to Bangkok’s historic Hua Lamphong Station where they set off on the journey through an exclusive send-off ceremony, a harbinger of good times on the rails.
The station itself is also an attraction in its own right: originally inaugurated in June 1916, it was designed by Italian architects Mario Tamagno and Annibale Rigotti in the Italian Neo-Renaissance style.
Taking inspiration from the great railway stations of Europe, Hua Lamphong boasts of an arched roof, stained-glass windows, and a high-ceilinged main hall; this makes it the perfect backdrop to get an amazing journey off to a brilliant start.
Into Ayutthaya
The first stop on the journey took Gary and his fellow travellers to one of Thailand’s best-known UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the ancient royal city of Ayutthaya.
Founded around 1350AD, Ayutthaya became Thailand’s second capital after Sukhothai and remained the country’s central hub until it was destroyed by a Burmese incursion in the 18th century.
Despite the destruction, its prang (reliquary towers) and temple ruins continue to give travellers more than just an idea of the glory and grandeur of its heyday.
Ayutthaya is also home to one of Thailand’s most refined dining experiences at Baan Thai Ayutthaya Khlong Sra Bua.
Located to the northwest of downtown Ayutthaya, Baan Thai Ayutthaya Khlong Sra Bua lies just outside the Khlong Sa Bua boundary in the neighbouring Lumphli subdistrict.
As Gary describes it: “This is not a standard restaurant; it is a private heritage estate that does not accept individual bookings or walk-ins. Indeed, the place is highly selective about its partners, operating on a group-only, pre-booking basis. Here, we dined on traditional delicacies and local specialities in traditional wooden pavilions set among lush lotus ponds.”
So refined is the experience, that it has become an integral part of the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Healing is the New Luxury campaign as it offers a soothing respite from the hubbub of the country’s hectic urban centres, allowing travellers to rest and relax in gorgeous surroundings whilst enjoying meals that would not be out of place in the Royal Court.
Soothed and satisfied both in mind and body, the group made its way back, ready for the next leg of the journey in Uthai Thani.
